Concept in Definition ABC

Hedonism is that philosophical current that proposes the achievement of pleasure as the supreme objective to achieve by identifying it with good.

Philosophical current that promotes pleasure as its maximum objective by associating it directly with good

That is to say, for hedonists, as those who hold this life philosophy, pleasure turns out to be the supreme end of life and therefore they will direct their entire existence to the search for pleasure and the suppression of an issue that is certainly opposed to pleasure: pain.

According to hedonism, everything that man does turns out to be a means to achieve something else, only pleasure will man seek for himself.

Maxim of the hedonistic life: enjoy and enjoy

Carrying out a hedonistic life involves, among other issues and precepts: taking time for enjoyment, indulging yourself when you need them, trying not to rationalize so much the emotions when they are pleasant, rather enjoy them and that's it, and stimulate curiosity.

Meanwhile, the ambiguity that per se presents the concept of pleasure generates that on many occasions thinkers and thoughts that speak in some way on the primacy of pleasure are placed under the cloak of hedonism, although sometimes they do not coincide with this current ethics.

Types of Hedonism, highlights Epicureanism

There are two categories of Hedonism, ethical Hedonism and psychological Hedonism.

The School Cyrenaica founded by Aristipo de Cirene, between the 4th and 3rd centuries A. C. it is one of the classical schools of Hedonism. According Cyrene pleasure is the higher good that every human being should aspire to achieve and therefore was a notable promoter of bodily gratifications to the detriment of mental and spiritual ones.

Another classical school that supports Hedonism is the EpicureanismHowever, it associates pleasure with tranquility and maintains that the immediate acquisition of pleasure reduces desire.

Undoubtedly Epicureanism is considered the most emblematic representative of this philosophical trend. Meanwhile, it is the Greek philosopher Epicurus who is recognized as the father and founder. This Greek thinker lived between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.

His maxim revolved around the thought that the pleasure of senses and the eradication of pain, which is achieved through reason and prudence, are the fundamental objectives of existence. The actions and of course also the omissions must be directed to this if the human being intends to achieve happiness.

Epicurus recommended to his followers that first those desires that are necessary to be able to live should be satisfied and then those that They are also natural but not indispensable, such is the case of artistic manifestations, sexual expressions, social interactions, among other
Now, Epicurus said that this should not dominate the person in any way.

On the other hand, he argued that desires linked to political power and fame are ephemeral and therefore should not be considered before those mentioned.

He also recommended not to fear death because it does not produce sensation in those reached by it and addressed other issues that always worried man, such as the food and the time saying that the first and best are the tastiest and the best time will be the one that produces the greatest pleasure.

Epicurus founded a very famous school in the Greek capital of Athens, called The Garden, there he met with disciples and the idea of ​​being located in a garden was not capricious but was linked to another maxim that Epicurus spread about loving nature above all things.

The main difference between the two hedonistic currents mentioned is that the first one from Cyrene had a more selfish proposal because it sought the priority of personal interests.

Link to Utilitarianism

A more modern version of Hedonism appeared in the 18th century, in England, spearheaded by various British philosophers such as Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, among others, who also proposed pleasure as the ultimate goal, although their search must always be adjusted to the benefit of society, because the maximum pleasure implies never forgetting the other.

A good part of the religions condemn Hedonism for considering it preeminently immoral and for removing the focus from its main dogmas.
Christianity, for example, condemns it because it opposes its main dogma: above all things and above all love God and neighbor.

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